1. Reasons for Westward Expansion By: Mrs. Noyalas “Certain materials are included under the fair use exemption of US Copyright Law and have been prepared according to the Multimedia fair use guidelines and are restricted for further use.”

2. Manifest Destiny This is the belief or idea that expansion was right and good for the country.

3. California Gold Rush Gold was discovered in California in the 1840s. This rush made lots of people move West with the hopes of becoming rich!

4. Knowledge of Oregon Trail People wanted to start a new life in the West and could go west on the Oregon Trail.

5. Cheap, Fertile Land The Eastern cities were getting crowded and people could find cheap land the west. The land was great for farming.

6. Freedom for Runaway Slaves Slaves from the South could have freedom in the new western territories.